2019 Minister’s Dinner. Back Row L to R: Bruce Gray, Deputy Minister of Sustainable Development; Scott Stephens, Director Regional Operations Conservation Ducks Unlimited Canada; Keith LaBossiere, Managing Partner Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP.; Daniel Brunet. Front Row L to R: Nathalie Bays, Manager of Interpretive Centre Operations; Dr. Karla Guyn, CEO Ducks Unlimited Canada; The Honourable Rochelle Squires, Minister of Sustainable Development.
by George Williams with photos by Jeope Wolfe, Ducks Unlimited Canada
Churchill Wild attended the recent 2019 Minister’s Dinner in support of one of our favourite causes, the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre, and it turned out to be a fabulous evening of fundraising!
The Honourable Rochelle Squires, Minister of Sustainable Development, was the patron for the event, which was held on February 27 at the historic Manitoba Club. The always-sold-out annual fundraiser celebrated its 23rd year with 228 of Manitoba’s corporate elite and raised over $200,000 for a great cause.
The Interpretive Centre is a joint partnership of Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Province of Manitoba and its mission is to connect people with wetlands. Over 30,000 children each year visit the successful hands-on learning facility and benefit from the Centre’s high-quality wetland education programs. The experience the children receive not only creates unforgettable memories, but instills in them a permanent sense of respect for their environment and a love of nature.
The evening included a cocktail networking reception, a (delicious!) formal dinner, a silent and live auction, a $25,000 Great-West Life match pledge drive and a Pick of the Litter raffle that helped the Center reach its fundraising goals.
Hartley T. Richardson receives Ducks Unlimited Canada 2019 Conservation Education Award. L to R: Nathalie Bays, Manager of Interpretive Centre Operations; Dr. Karla Guyn, CEO Ducks Unlimited Canada; Hartley T. Richardson, CEO James Richardson & Sons Limited.
Special recognition was given to Mr. Hartley T. Richardson as the Ducks Unlimited Canada 2019 Conservation Education Award winner for his generous gift to the Centre that will help inspire and empower more young people to conserve wetlands for the future.
Ducks Unlimited Canada was also recognized at the dinner as a key partner for both wetland education and conservation.
The premier sponsors of this year’s Minister’s Dinner included:
Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP — Dinner Sponsor
TELUS Health — Wine Sponsor
Derksen Plumbing and Heating (1984) Ltd. — Auction Sponsor
The Great-West Life Assurance Company — Match Sponsor
Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre offered a heartfelt thank you to all the major prize donors at this year’s Minister’s Dinner including: Calm Air, Churchill Wild, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Luxe Barbeque Company & Napoleon Grills, Manitoba Club, The Grace Anne II Yacht & Lodge, Tolaini Winery, WOW! Hospitality Concepts Inc., Cabela’s, and Le Bol Grill.
Churchill Wild donated a trip for two on our Hudson Bay Odyssey at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge for the event and would like to congratulate successful bidder Tyler Skinner of Pro Ice Management. You’re going to have a great time Tyler! Churchill Wild would also like to thank the organizers, committee members, attendees, donors and sponsors for making the evening a resounding success.
Good people doing good things for a great cause!
